Brexit impact on cost of food and essentials ‘top concern for Scots’

More than eight in 10 Scots are worried about the UK leaving the EU in the next 12 months, analysis suggests.

An online study by Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) of 2,078 people (carried out between March 12 and March 23) indicated that 82% of respondents expressed concern over the impact of Brexit.

Only 14% stated that they are unconcerned by the UK’s departure from the EU.

Of those who responded to the study, 50% reported that they are ‘very concerned’ about Brexit – up from 26% of people who expressed that view in a similar study produced by Progressive Partnership last year.

The main concern raised by people around Brexit was the potential impact on the cost of food and essentials, with 72% indicating their worry on that issue.

A total of 63% of the respondents said they were concerned about the general impact Brexit would have on employment in the UK, while just over half (52%) expressed their concern about travelling to Europe.

CAS chief executive Derek Mitchell said: “Headlines around Brexit tend to concentrate on the process and the political narrative. Our research shows people in Scotland are worried about the impact of Brexit on their day to day lives.

“From the cases that CABs see every day, we know that many people in Scotland are already struggling to make ends meet. Against that background, Brexit represents an additional insecurity.

“Personally, the thing that most surprises me is the high level of worry and concern overall.

“If only 14% of Scots are not concerned at all about Brexit, that suggests to me a very high level of Brexit stress in the general population, significantly higher than we found this time last year.”